Monk Seal Monday #16: Aukai | January 2016 | Edition: 1/1 NFT | License: Extended Editorial

Aukai (#MonkSealRL12) is another of the Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program's success stories.

She had her picture splashed across the news in January 2013, when she was spotted with a three pronged spear embedded into her head. You can just see a small dimple on the top of her head, where I believe the injury was.

Thanks to the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands staff and a vet from the The Marine Mammal Center, the spear was removed and she has fully recovered. She is likely one of the mothers of several pups born since that injury was suffered. Without the direct intervention of the Hawaii Monk Seal Research Program, both Aukai and her pups might be missing from the monk seal population.

The Monk Seal Monday collection is 20 images curated from more than 10 years of photographing one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world, the Hawaiian monk seal. Only 1,400 remain and 30% of those are here today due to the direct intervention of the organizations working to conserve them. I have spent thousands of hours doing education and outreach as a volunteer on the beaches with these beautiful animals.

I've also been doing Monk Seal Monday posts on social media for longer than I can remember and will continue to do so every Monday. Despite all our best efforts, this is a species hanging in the balance. I hope my Monk Seal post each Monday helps call attention to this beautiful animal and the work to conserve them for future generations. Now, with NFTs curated from these Monk Seal Monday images, I hope to do more.

A portion of the proceeds from each sale in this collection will be donated to the non-profit organizations on the front lines of rescuing this species from extinction.

Jason O'Rourke is an award-winning wildlife and landscape photographer living in Hawaii, recognized by National Geographic YourShot, Outdoor Photographer, Hawaii Magazine, Digital Photo, American Photo, the Los Angeles Times, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, PhotoCon Hawaii, and Turtle Bay Resort.

Extended Editorial License: Can be used to display privately, or in commercial and non-commercial settings, or in groups with an unlimited number of participants. The License includes unlimited use and display in virtual or physical galleries, documentaries, and essays by the NFT holder. Provides no rights to create commercial merchandise, commercial distribution, or derivative works.